NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL Keyboard Review

With the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL, the company isn’t messing around when it comes to speccing out its new keyboard. With Hall effect magnetic switches being the flagship feature, NZXT is clearly targeting other premium mainstream solutions from the likes of Razer and SteelSeries. It’s a bold move, but there’s real potential. After testing the new keyboard across a host of different gaming genres, it’s time for my review.

Must-have switch type

Right from the get-go, we’ve got to talk about the Hall effect switches. This is the must-have feature of 2025, so it’s great to see NZXT paying attention and implementing it into their flagship keyboard. For the uninitiated, Hall effect switches allow users to fine-tune exactly when a key press is recognized. With NZXT’s switches, users can customize functions between 0.6mm and 4.00mm.

Hall effect switches can be useful for many applications. One example is if a user wants their first-person shooter character to walk forward when the “W” key is pressed lightly, and then run when it’s pressed in further, Hall effect switches allow that. They are also fantastic for driving games where the steering experience can be made similar to that of a controller input. It’s a real game-changer.

Other functions like Rapid Trigger and Snap Override are other enhancements powered by the Hall effect tech. Users can make keys rapidly activate and deactivate, allowing for rapid movements. This is so powerful that some games have begun to ban the feature!

NZXT CAM improvements

The Hall effect functionality is customized within NZXT’s CAM software. This app has come a long way in recent years and I’m happy to report that I experienced no issues while assigning various functions and customizing the RGB lighting.

Of course, the Hall effect switches are just one aspect of the Function Elite MiniTKL. As you can tell by the name, this “MiniTKL” uses a compact 75% layout, which is going to be the sweet spot for many. 75% gives you all of the essential keys while cutting the number pad and other rarely used keys. This is ideal for gamers as it provides more room for the mouse to be swung around.

Winning sound and feel

NZXT has successfully achieved an excellent typing sound and feel. The Function Elite MiniTKL has been well-tuned, clearly by someone who knows what modern enthusiasts are looking for. The stabilizers, which are usually a weak point for mainstream “premium” keyboards, are well-tuned. I have zero complaints about the space bar, which is a pleasing surprise. The gasket-mounted design and sound-reducing foam work well in tandem to produce a satisfying audio result.

For the money, it’s good to see that build quality is solid. The top plate is made from aluminium and the hefty total mass of the keyboard gives an air of premium quality that sets it apart from cheap plastic.

Improvements could be made

While NZXT has gotten a lot right with the Function Elite MiniTKL, there are some areas that could be improved. Firstly, for the price I’m surprised to see no wireless connectivity. This is a wired-only keyboard, so there’s no 2.4 GHz high-speed connectivity, nor any Bluetooth. This really surprised me.

The Hall effect switches, while fast, aren’t the fastest out there, which could be a deal-breaker for those hunting for a keyboard like this. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL stands out as the main competitor for those looking for the fastest mainstream keyboard, though the price difference might be a deciding factor.

My other nitpick is the price. While mainstream competitors are just as pricey, it would be remiss of me not to mention that there are many other keyboard manufacturers offering Hall effect switches at a much lower price. If you’re not married to NZXT, then Epomaker or Keychron may well be worth looking into.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by NZXT.